Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the The Planted Tank Forum forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name, your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

OR

Log-in

User Name

Password

Remember Me?

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.

Additional Options

Miscellaneous Options

Automatically parse links in text

Automatically retrieve titles from external links

Topic Review (Newest First)

12-02-2016 02:49 AM

ryanswis

Please help a beginner out!!!!

I have a Fluval Spec V 5 gallon aquarium and I want to grow a DHG carpet in this tank with an iwagumi aquascape. I plan to use ADA Aquasoil for my substrate and I will probably make a DIY CO2 system.
Question 1: I'm going to replace the original light that comes with the tank, which light do you recommend for a DHG carpet? The tank is 17.2"L x 6.3"W x 10.6"H and I plan to use ADA Aquasoil. The room it will be in is somewhat bright.

Question 2: How many inches will i need to have of the ADA Aquasoil in order to have a lush DHG carpet?

Question 3: I am planning a dry start, how long do I need to run my light, and when will I be able to flood the tank with water? How many days will I have to mist for?

Question 4: How often will I have to fertilize with API Root Tabs, and do I have to put the root tabs in before I plant my Hairgrass?

Any other advice to help me avoid a rookie mistake would be awesome!
Thanks so much!!

11-28-2016 07:09 PM

natiedean24

Here is my recently rescaped Spec V. This picture is day 12 after replanting.

Have you received your Spec yet? The upgraded light that comes with the newest version of the Spec's is pretty powerful and you may not need to buy a Finnex.

2 days ago someone posted pictures of their Spec tank, it's upgraded light had grown out a full carpet of dwarf hair grass in 5 weeks without injecting co2. I've seen the new light in person as well and I think it's really bright.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was jimmeh lee that posted it in the thread that I started, its worth a look. After seeing his spec v I figured I would give the stock lights a try before spending more money.

Setting up a spec v for an office tank. Is everyone still recommending the Finnex light? I'm hoping to do low tech medium light tank but want to keep the cost down.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Have you received your Spec yet? The upgraded light that comes with the newest version of the Spec's is pretty powerful and you may not need to buy a Finnex.

2 days ago someone posted pictures of their Spec tank, it's upgraded light had grown out a full carpet of dwarf hair grass in 5 weeks without injecting co2. I've seen the new light in person as well and I think it's really bright.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-13-2016 09:40 PM

lasttycoon

Setting up a spec v for an office tank. Is everyone still recommending the Finnex light? I'm hoping to do low tech medium light tank but want to keep the cost down.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

09-16-2016 09:24 PM

SpecV

Here is my Spec V. I have had it running about a month its my first try at a nano tank and planted. I have a finnex planted + 20" light bar, fluval c02 system and 3 stage filter intake. If someone who knows plants could identify the 3 foreground plants I would appreciate it I threw away the plant package names for some dumb reason I cant remember what they are. The plant on the left I thought was supposed to stay small it was the size of the middle plant when everything was added its shooting up fast, I don't think this is a foreground plant I envisioned. I have a betta, 5 neon tetras and 4 ghost shrimp. Tank is cloudy in this picture from water clarifier after stirring up the Amazonian substrate Any feedback comments/advice would be appreciated.

"As much as it is challenging to create a healthy and thriving fish tank, there is something fascinating about cultivating miniature ecosystems on a small desk – having live fish, shrimps, plants, and micro-infusoria co-existing with one another inside small, enclosed environments. Nano tanks are a constant reminder of the immense power & responsibility that humans have in shaping our natural world and that life thrives within our oceans, rivers, and water bodies within a delicate balance."
(literally--nano tanks can crash faster than larger aquariums)

Some of the Emerald Dwarf Danios (Celestichthys erythromicron, 2cm in size) sparring:
Part 1: The Staredown.
Part 2: The Wrestling Match.

Some of the Celestial Pearl Danios (Celestichthys margaritatus, 2cm in size) shoaling:

A Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) rising into the light

And it is shocking that CRS/CBS shrimp can actually breed in a 2 Gallon Fluval Spec tank (~5-10 new shrimplets per month).

More New "Enclosed Worlds" incoming...

Very cool

09-12-2016 11:52 PM

Bigwolf

I know that they can't cause any harm, but I am curious to know if this affects all Fluval Specs? But sometimes Planarias can appear also.. it happened with me in the first setup. and they can be harmful..

I have had tanks all my life and never faced any problems with detritus worms, I just don't like to see them climbing my tank... and by the research that I have been doing it's quite common on Spec 3.. Probably due to bad filtration.. My Spec 3 has a betta, and I had to reduce the flow with a Fluval Sponge Pre Filter in the exit of the Pump. It made things worse.. I am trying to figure out a way to improve filtration without affect my Betta..

I recently set up this spec V with the critters and plants from a neglected spec II. The betta fish is a new addition and I was going to keep this a shrimp only tank, but this guy was just so pretty and there so much swimming space that the shrimps don't use! The plants are still a little sad from being neglected for months in the last tank. It was pretty much entirely overrun by the flame moss. Excited to see this tank settle.
I might eventually upgrade to the planted+ 24/7, mostly because of the features, I'm sure the stock light will be bright enough.

Lovely tank and a beautiful Betta!

08-17-2016 09:54 PM

pigpak

I recently set up this spec V with the critters and plants from a neglected spec II. The betta fish is a new addition and I was going to keep this a shrimp only tank, but this guy was just so pretty and there so much swimming space that the shrimps don't use! The plants are still a little sad from being neglected for months in the last tank. It was pretty much entirely overrun by the flame moss. Excited to see this tank settle.
I might eventually upgrade to the planted+ 24/7, mostly because of the features, I'm sure the stock light will be bright enough.